In Depth
With holotype fossils initially described as specimens of Rubeosaurus, Stellasaurus is a genus of centrosaurine ceratopsian dinosaur that lived in North America during the late Cretaceous. Although little fossil material exists of Stellasaurus at the time of writing, the dinosaur has been reconstructing as having two large upwards pointing spikes rising from the back of the neck frill. Two smaller spikes rose up at slight angles outwards either side of the two central spikes. These created a star shape which was the inspiration of the name Stellasaurus. Stellasaurus is also a homage to the song ‘Starman’ by David Bowie.
Further Reading
- A new, transitional centrosaurine ceratopsid from the Upper Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation of Montana and the evolution of the ‘Styracosaurus-line’ dinosaurs. - Royal Society Open Publishing. 7 (4). - John P. Wilson, Michael J. Ryan & Davis C. Evans - 2020.
